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1/8/24, 11:55 AM Item Coversheet <br /> Public Works <br /> DATE: 1/8/2024 <br /> MEMO: 2024-03 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Scott Wrighton,City Manager <br /> Matt Newell,P.E.,Public Works Director <br /> Keith Alexander,Water Production Manager <br /> Jennifer Gunter,Watershed and Lake Manager <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Crop Share Farm Lease with Steve Bell for Oakley Sediment Basin Exterior. <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: <br /> It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign, and the City Clerk to attest,to a Resolution Authorizing Crop <br /> Share Farm Lease with Steve Bell for the Oakley Sediment Basin Exterior at no cost to the City. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The exterior of the City owned Oakley Sediment Basin,where dredged lake sediment was pumped into,has 30.93 tillable acres <br /> that have been farmed for several years by Mr. Bell. First Illinois Ag Group recommends that Mr. Bell be allowed to continue <br /> farming the Basin's exterior since he is very knowledgeable of the unique characteristics of the property and has farmed on it for <br /> many years. The terms of the lease are identical to the previous lease. <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 /> lease will continue to be on a crop share basis to equitably share between the City and Mr.Bell the costs and benefits of farming at <br /> this location. The shared costs and benefits are listed on page 1 of the lease,and include: <br /> Harvested crops <br /> Limestone <br /> Fertilizer <br /> Herbicides <br /> Insecticide <br /> Soil testing <br /> Seeds <br /> A winter cover crop is not recommended for this site since the land is in several small sections and is relatively flat with vegetation <br /> field borders. <br /> LEGAL REVIEW: <br /> The lease was provided to the Legal Department for review on December 29,2023. <br /> PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: <br /> On January 17,2023,the City Council authorized a Crop Share Farm Lease with Steve Bell for Oakley Sediment Basin Exterior. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: None foreseen. <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Matt Newell,Public Works Director,424-2747. Keith Alexander,Water Production Manager,424-2863. <br /> Jennifer Gunter,Watershed and Lake Manager,424-2834. Matt will be present at the Council meeting. <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: <br /> There are no implications. <br /> https://decatur.novusagenda.com/agendaweb/CoverSheet.aspx?ltemlD=4771 1/2 <br />