Said board, subject to the directions and ordinances of the council, shall have the care and management of any such cemetery or burial place or places, and shall direct the improvements and embellishments of the grounds; cause such grounds to be laid out into lots, avenues and walks; the lots to be numbered and the avenues and walks to be named and plats thereof, to be made and recorded in the office of the city clerk. Such board shall also have power in its discretion to take, receive and hold any property, real or personal, by devise or otherwise, which may be granted, transferred or devised to such board in trust for the purpose of caring for and keeping in good order and repair any given lot or lots, or portions thereof, specified in any such trust. The board shall fix the price of lots and make the sales thereof. The conveyances of such lots shall be executed on behalf of the city by the city clerk, and be recorded in his office at the expense of the purchasers.