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. 2010 Updates - Show / Hide Update - August 5, 2010 (Posted 8-5-10) Paul Ayers, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit against the Cemetery, has provided the update below about the Cemetery's upcoming restoration. If you have any questions or need information about the Cemetery, please contact Mr. Ayers at his law office: Zinder & Koch 700 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 400 Glendale, CA 91203 (818) 760-0100 The class action settlement agreement identified four tasks to be included in restoration activities at Grand View: (1) identification of the cremated remains located in the crypt of the West Mausoleum; (2) return of cemetery records to Grand View; (3) installation of an automatic irrigation system and (4) rehabilitation of the landscaping and grounds; the text of the restoration portion of the agreement is attached. The second item, return of cemetery records to Grand View, was accomplished earlier this month. Although not directly addressed in the settlement agreement, I intend to have the material organized so that it can be used for public inquiries and research regarding the cemetery and loved ones. Because they are the most costly of the 4 tasks and will take the most time to complete, my main focus at this time is on the third and fourth items, irrigation and landscaping. The first step in the installation of an irrigation system and landscaping is retention of a landscape architect to prepare plans that the landscape contractor can bid on and work from. I have retained a landscape architect I worked with on another cemetery restoration. Unfortunately the only base plans I could find to supply him with, those from a 1999 remap of the cemetery, are significantly off scale. As a result the landscape architect will have to resurvey the cemetery which will delay completion of the final plans until at least the week of September 6th. Once the plans are in, my landscape contractor who I have also worked with on a previous cemetery restoration should have a bid to me in a week. My expectation is that we will break ground around October 1st. Once the actual work begins the cemetery will be closed for 10-15 weeks. Depending on the progress of the irrigation/landscaping work we hope to have holiday openings in November and December but these can not be guaranteed. The inventory of cremated remains in West Mausoleum will probably take place at the same time as the irrigation installation. Update on Sunday Openings (Posted 6-2-10) Judge Mohr today signed an order, allowing the Cemetery to open for public visitation on additional Sundays and holidays in 2010, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. The dates are listed below. June 6 June 13 June 20 (Father's Day) June 27 July 4 (Independence Day) July 18 August 1 August 15 August 29 September 12 September 26 October 10 October 24 Whether the Cemetery will open on a regular basis, after these dates, is unknown. Questions from the public about the Sunday openings should be directed to: Paul Ayers [Attorney for the plaintiffs (families suing the Cemetery)] (818) 760-0100; or David Baum [Attorney for defendant Moshe Goldsman, Cemetery co-owner] (310) 990-3660. Judge Signs Order (Posted 3-8-10) On March 5, 2010, Judge Anthony J. Mohr signed an order which: (1) certifies the settlement class in the class action lawsuit, and (2) gives final approval to the class action settlement. View notice Visitation Schedule (Posted 1-20-10) Judge Mohr today signed an order, allowing the Cemetery to open for public visitation on Sundays and for holidays in 2010, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. The dates are listed below. February 7 February 21 March 7 March 21 April 2 (Good Friday) April 4 (Easter) April 24 (Armenian Genocide) May 9 (Mother's Day) May 23 June 6 June 20 (Father's Day) 2009 Updates - Show / Hide Settlement Reached (Posted 11-18-09) A settlement has been reached in the class action lawsuits against Grand View Memorial Park, and the Court has granted preliminary approval of the settlement. Because the City of Glendale was not a party to the private lawsuits against the Cemetery, and because the City was not involved in the negotiations to settle the lawsuits, the City is unable to answer questions about the settlement. To obtain more information about the settlement or how to participate in the settlement, please contact one of the attorneys listed below or the claims administrator listed below: Attorneys for Settlement Class: Mike Arias, Esq. Arias, Ozzello & Gignac, LLP 6701 Center Drive West, Suite 1400 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 670-1600 Paul R. Ayers, Esq. Zinder & Koch 700 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 400 Glendale, CA 91203 (818) 760-0100 Claims Administrator: Grand View Claims Administrator c/o Desmond, Marcello & Amster P.O. Box 451999 Los Angeles, CA 90045 Visitation Schedule (Posted 10-13-09) Sunday, October 18 Sunday, November 1 Sunday, November 15 Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) Sunday, December 13 Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day) Friday, January , 2010 (New Year's Day) Wednesday, January 6 (Armenian Christmas) Sunday, January 10 Sunday, January 24 Update - Added June 26, 2009 Yesterday Judge Mohr signed an order, allowing the Cemetery to open for public visitation on the following Sundays in 2009, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.: July 5, 19; August 2, 16, 30; September 6, 20; October 4, 18. Questions from the public about the Sunday openings should be directed to: Paul Ayers [Attorney for the plaintiffs (families suing the Cemetery)] (818) 760-0100; or David Baum [Attorney for defendant Moshe Goldsman] (310) 990-3660. 2009 Public Visitation Schedule (Posted 12-16-08) Judge Mohr signed an order, allowing the Cemetery to open for public visitation on the following Sundays and for holidays in 2009, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m: January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22, March 8, March 22, April 10, April 12, April 24, April 26, May 10, May 24, June 14, June 21, June 28 2008 Updates - Show / Hide Update - Added September 22, 2008 The cemetery will be open the following dates: September 28, 2008 October 12, 26, 2008 November 9, 23, 27 [Thanksgiving], 2008 December 7, 21, 25 [Christmas], 2008 January 1 [New Years], 6 [Armenian Christmas],2009 All openings will be from 12 noon to 4 p.m. 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 2007 Updates - Show / Hide 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 2006 Updates - Show / Hide 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/enforcement/grand_view.shtml 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.