Although the City of Glendale has no legal or financial responsibility for Grand View Memorial Park, the City is providing the following in the best interests of our community: Because Grand View is a privately-owned business, and because the State of California (and not the City of Glendale) regulates all private cemeteries in California, the City of Glendale cannot take control of the cemetery, operate it or maintain its grounds. At present, State law does not allow the City to replace the private owners as the cemetery's operator, or even make the owners open the cemetery for burials, internments or disinterments. The City will be providing updates on this page and on the City's Community Hotline (818) 548-6464. Update - Added July 30, 2008 The cemetery will be open the following dates: Sept. 14 and 28. Update - Added June 24, 2008 The Grand View Cemetery will be open for public visitation on Sunday, May 25, from 12 noon to 4:00p.m. At a status conference on June 24, the Judge ordered that Grandview be opened to the public on the following dates: June 29, July 13 and July 27. These openings are being handled by the plaintiff attorneys and the attorney for Moshe Goldsman. Update - Added May 19, 2008 The Grand View Cemetery will be open for public visitation on Sunday, May 25, from 12 noon to 4:00p.m. If you have any questions regarding the Cemetery, contact the following attorneys: Paul Ayers [Attorney for the plaintiffs (families suing the Cemetery)] (818) 760-0100; or David Baum [Attorney for defendant Moshe Goldsman] (310) 312-9598. Update - Added March 19, 2008 The co-owner of the Grandview Cemetery, Mr. Moshe Goldsman, will open the facility for public visitation on Sunday, March 30, 2008, from noon until 4 pm. Questions from the public concerning the March 30 opening should be directed to the following: David Baum, Attorney for Mr. Moshe Goldsman (310) 312-9598 Mr. Paul Ayers, Attorney, (818) 760-0100 Update - Added December 19, 2007 In response to the City's lawsuit against the Cemetery's owners to abate conditions at the Cemetery which are a public nuisance, Moshe Goldsman, one of the Cemetery co-owners, is making an attempt to correct the fire hazards and other violations at the Cemetery. Mr.Goldsman has started repairs, including an initial clean-up (weed removal) and installation of an irrigation system. Tree trimming is under way on the east side of the Cemetery. Mr. Goldsman estimates that all the work may be completed within the next 4 to 6 weeks. Previously, on December 19, 2007, the Honorable Judge Mohr approved a motion filed in court by Mr. David Baum, Mr. Goldsman's attorney. Mr. Baum's motion requested that Judge Mohr modify the prior "evidence preservation order" concerning the Cemetery to allow Mr. Goldsman to: (1) trim and remove the trees (identified in West Coast Arborists' report); (2) install an above-ground irrigation system; and (3) perform monthly maintenance (i.e., trimming the grass once or twice a month). Mr. Baum told Judge Mohr that the initial clean-up (weed removal) may start as soon as December 20. Mr. Baum estimated that all the work (tree trimming and removal, and irrigation system installation) may be completed within the next 6 weeks. The next court hearing is on February 6, 2008. Judge Mohr ordered Mr. Baum to file a report, before the hearing date, describing the status of Mr. Goldsman's efforts and progress in trimming the trees, installing a watering system, and removing debris and weeds. Complaint for Preliminary and Permanent Injunction and Declaratory Judgment against Grand View Memorial Park, Inc. The City of Glendale filed a Complaint for Preliminary and Permanent Injunction and Declaratory Judgment against Grand View Memorial Park, Inc., Moshe Goldsman, and the Estate of Marsha Howard on September 10, 2007. All of the defendants have now been served and their responses are due during the week of October 22, 2007. The Complaint has put the defendants on notice of hazardous conditions which must be abated on the property. The City is the process of attempting to negotiate an informal resolution with the defendants. If an informal resolution cannot be reached, the City will obtain an order from the Court regarding abatement of the hazards. Text of Complaint Council Action Regarding Grand View Cemetery As of August 21, 2007 On August 21, 2007, the Glendale City Council took action that would keep Grand View Cemetery closed on Sundays; and, also directed staff to postpone further discussion or work regarding tree-trimming, removal or grounds maintenance to a future date. In addition, staff was directed to file a “Nuisance Abatement Action” (legal action against the cemetery owners). This could result in a court decision through which the City could force the owners to make the cemetery safe and minimize hazards. If the owners fail to do so, the Court could permit the City to go onto the property and correct the violations. This would be followed by efforts to seek reimbursement for the city’s costs through a lien placed upon the property or other asset. Following are the reasons for the Council’s action: (1) The increasing number of issues faced by the City if the cemetery were re-opened for visitation. These issues include necessary tree-trimming, tree removal, tree watering and grounds maintenance. The dead and dying trees and foliage present a hazard that could lead to a potential fire and/or other safety issues. (2) The significant dollar amount of public funds required to address these issues, including the allocation or spending of public funds to maintain a private enterprise. (3) The failure by the attorneys for the plaintiffs’ and the cemetery owners to address these on-going issues. Council stated that the attorneys have left the issues for the City to handle and have not attempted to work with staff to solve the concerns of the City and the community. Report to City Council (8-21-07) - Request for appropriation and direction pertaining to tree trimming and removal, one-time and on-going maintenance, installation of a temporary recycled watering system at the Grand View Cemetery. Reports: July 2007 Grandview Trees Report May 2007 Tree Survey and Evaluation Update on Grand View Litigation (Posted 9-26-06) Press Release (Updated 9-14-06) Visitation Rules (Updated 9-7-06) Go to www.cfb.ca.gov/grand_view.htm for more information. CONTACT FORM - If you would like updates on the status of the cemetery, please fill out the online form and send it to the City.