HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.1 - 1866 Edy Coleman Memorial Bench
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STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: March 6, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Edy Coleman Memorial Bench
Prepared by: Tegan McLane, Cultural Arts & Heritage Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council is being asked to approve the installation of a memorial cremation
bench for longtime Heritage Park and Museums volunteer Edy Coleman in the Dublin
Pioneer Cemetery.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the installation of the family's first choice bench in the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery
at the family's first choice location. Or, approve the first choice bench and second
choice location. If the second choice location is selected, with approve the budget
change for site prep work at location two.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If approved, Edy Coleman’s family will cover the cost of purchase and installation of a
cremation bench. Approval the first choice location would have no financial impact to
the CIty. Approval of the second choice location would require some site prep by the
City, which would cost approximately $2,500 in labor and $500 in materials.
(Attachment 1)
DESCRIPTION:
At the December 5, 2017 meeting, the City Council directed Staff to bring back
information on installing a bench at Heritage Park and Museums in honor of longtime
volunteer Edy Coleman in recognition of her contributions to the City.
Upon further discussion, Mrs. Coleman's daughter Jamie Gardea clarified that - rather
than have the City install a memorial bench at i ts expense - the family is ready and
willing to pay for the purchase and installation of the bench. However, the family would
like permission to install a bench style that is designed to serve as a final resting place
for two sets of cremated remains.
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Mrs. Coleman and her husband, Richard “Dick” Coleman, settled here in Dublin in 1977
and raised their family here. Mrs. Coleman was very active in many local community
organizations, including the Dublin Historical Preservation Association, and spent
countless hours volunteering at Dublin's Heritage Park and Museums. Mr. Coleman
deserves credit for recruiting and organizing other museum volunteers to help operate
the facility and lead tours for Dublin school children and other visitors.
It was Mrs. Coleman’s longtime wish was to be interred at Dublin Pioneer Cemetery,
and the couple was on the waiting list to purchase space in the Cemetery. Though the
City is currently revisiting the issue, it has no immediate plans to add additional plots or
a columbarium wall with cremation niches for sale.
In making pre-arrangements with the mortuary prior to Mrs. Coleman’s passing, the
Colemans learned about cremation benches and expressed interest in that option,
specifically in having the bench situated in Edy’s belo ved Dublin Pioneer Cemetery, to
serve as a final resting place for both Edy and Dick Coleman.
Staff recently met with Ms. Gardea and identified two possible locations that the family
would find acceptable. Their first preference is directly behind the cemetery sign along
the pathway that parallels the parking lot. The bench would face the cemetery. No site
preparation is needed as the path is already paved. Their second choice is along the
right side of Hawthorne Way, the paved path leading from Old St. Raymond Church to
the back of the cemetery. This site will likely require some site preparation to provide a
cement foundation to anchor the bench. Hawthorne Way is used as the route for tractor -
drawn wagon rides, and it may not be sufficiently wide to accommodate a bench on the
existing asphalt pavement. (Attachment 2)
Staff also discussed the style of bench with the family and agreed that a simple style
would be best for a bench placed along a public path, and the more ornate headstone -
like styles would not be suitable. The family’s first choice is a backless pedestal bench.
They have also identified a second choice design that looks more like a park bench. In
either case, they would have the bench made in black granite with both names etched
upon it. (Attachment 3)
Staff recommends approving the installation of the family’s first choice cremation bench
in the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery at the family’s first choice location.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Mrs. Coleman's daughter, Jamie Gardea, was provided a copy of this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Budget Change Edy Coleman Memorial Bench
2. Edy Coleman Bench Location
3. Edy Coleman Bench Style
Budget Change Reference #:
From Un-Appropriated Reserves X Budget Transfer Between Funds
From Designated Reserves Other
Account Amount
1001.7601.64102 (MCE Additional Services)$3,000.00
3/6/2018
Posted By:Date:
As Presented at the City Council Meeting
**********Finance Use Only**********
CITY OF DUBLIN
Site prep for bench at Heritage Park's Pioneer Cemetery in honor of longtime volunteer Edy Coleman. This budget change is based on
the City Council's approval of the family's second choice location for the bench.
REASON FOR BUDGET CHANGE
FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
BUDGET CHANGE FORM
General Fund - Historic Facility Opes & Rental
City Council's Approval Required
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Edy Coleman Bench - First Choice Location:
Edy Coleman Bench - Second Choice Location:
Edy Coleman Bench Style – Family’s First Choice – Pedestal Style:
Front view, but it would not have this much text engraved.
Edy Coleman Bench Style – Second Choice – Park Bench style: