The governing body is hereby authorized to purchase from a cemetery association, all of the unsold land belonging to the association for a consideration of not more than $1. If such purchase is made, the city may assume complete control of all roadways and parking in and around the cemetery. Prior to the transfer, the proposed transfer of the cemetery association shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official city newspaper. If a protest signed by not less than 30% of the lot owners is not filed in the office of the city clerk of the city within 30 days after the first publication of the proposed transfer, the land may be transferred.