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3/12/2021 Item Coversheet <br /> in <br /> Public Works <br /> DATE: 3/5/2021 <br /> MEMO: 2021-26 <br /> TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council <br /> FROM: Scot Wrighton,City Manager <br /> Matt Newell,P.E.,Public Works Director <br /> Keith Alexander,Water Production Manager <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Crop Share Lease with Steve Bell for Exterior of the Oakley Sediment Basin <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: <br /> It is proposed that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing a Crop Share Lease with Steve Bell for the Exterior <br /> of the Oakley Sediment Basin. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The exterior of the City owned Oakley Sediment Basin,where dredged lake sediment was pumped into,has 30.93 acres that have <br /> been farmed for several years by Mr.Bell under a lease from First Illinois Ag Group,the City's farm management consultant. Last <br /> fall City staff determined that these annual leases also need to be authorized by the City Council. <br /> Since the quality of the Basin's exterior soil is generally average,and the areas that are farmed are small and not contiguous,the <br /> leases have been on a crop share basis to equitably share between the City and Mr.Bell the costs and benefits of farming at this <br /> site. In 2020,the City's net farm income at this location was$2,985.67. The shared costs and benefits are listed on page 1 of the <br /> Lease,and include: <br /> Harvested crops <br /> Limestone <br /> Fertilizer <br /> Herbicides <br /> Insecticide <br /> Soil testing <br /> Seeds <br /> First Illinois Ag Group recommends that Mr.Bell be allowed to continue farming the Basin's exterior since he is very <br /> knowledgeable of the unique characteristics of the property and has successfully farmed on it for many years. <br /> PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: <br /> On October 19,2020,the City Council authorized a Cash Rent Farm Lease with Lynn Clarkson,DBA Clarkson Farm,for Organic <br /> Agricultural Purposes at the Oakley Sediment Basin. This lease was for a portion of the interior of the Basin. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: None foreseen. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: <br /> First Illinois Ag Group <br /> LEGAL REVIEW: The proposed lease was provided to the Legal Department for review on February 10,2021. <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Matt Newell,Public Works Director,424-2747.Keith Alexander,Water Production Manager,424-2863. <br /> Matt will be in attendance at the City Council meeting to answer any questions of the Council on this item. <br /> https://decatur.novusagenda.com/AgendaWeb/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=3304 1/2 <br />