Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery is now officially owned by the city.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved a measure accepting the property through receivership from the Iowa Insurance Division.

The city government became the likely new owner of the property at 3242 Fifth Ave. S. last year when it was essentially abandoned by its previous owner, Fort Dodge Memorial Park LLC, organized by Alan C. Dorothy, of Fort Dodge. Under state law, cities are ultimately responsible for cemeteries.

The city was actually expected to take ownership on July 1, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the process.

The city government also owns Oakland Cemetery on North 15th Street.

In other business on Monday, the council hired firms that will be responsible for determing the fair market value of properties the city seeks to buy for a realignment of Hawkeye Avenue and Third Avenue Northwest.