Residents urge cemetery cleanup and publicize Soledad July 4 plans during council public comment

At the City of Soledad special council meeting on May 23, 2024, residents used the public-comment period to raise two community issues: a volunteer cleanup of the Salt Lake Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day and details about the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

John Ramirez, introduced as a member of the Salt Lake Cemetery board, said the cemetery was "not looking very good" and announced a volunteer cleanup event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ramirez named several volunteers and encouraged community participation.

When a council member asked whether city public works could assist, City Manager Megan said the cemetery is funded and maintained by its own special district and that public-works crews cannot perform that maintenance using city funds; she said city employees could be encouraged to volunteer. The transcript records the manager’s explanation that separate district funds govern maintenance operations.

During the same public-comment period Eva Banuelos (a candidate that later was appointed) described the July 4 event planned for Soledad Little League Park (Chester Aron Park), including family games, entertainment, a children’s parade beginning at noon from Main Street School to Liberty Park, and cooperation with police and fire. Banuelos and other speakers invited residents to attend and participate.

Council members thanked volunteers and encouraged submitting event flyers for the city to post on its social channels. The manager said staff would collect flyers and help publicize community events where possible.

No council action was taken specifically to allocate public-works resources to cemetery maintenance; staff said the maintenance funding mechanism for the cemetery is separate and not city-controlled.