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Council Memo <br /> Public Works Department <br /> No. 2026-10 <br /> DATE: 1/20/2026 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Melissa Hon,Interim City Manager <br /> Matt Newell,Director of Public Works <br /> Robert Weil,Water Production Manager <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> Resolution Authorizing a 2026 Cash Rent Farm Lease with Peter Pistorius for Farm#5 in Harristown <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached <br /> resolution authorizing a 2026 cash rent farm lease with Peter Pistorius for Farm#5 in Harristown. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> First Illinois Ag Group,the City's farm management consulting firm,has a long track record of working with <br /> tenant farmers to ensure a good return on our investment in the land while also encouraging the use of <br /> regenerative agricultural practices. <br /> Farm#5 is a newer farm purchased in 2025; it comprises 129.76 tillable acres of land surrounding the recently <br /> acquired property near Harristown. The farm produced 75.7 bushels per acre yield for soybeans in 2025. This <br /> farm will be planted in corn for the 2026 crop season. <br /> LEGAL REVIEW: The lease was provided to the Legal Department for review on December 30, 2025 <br /> PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: <br /> January 16,2024-The City Council authorized a similar Cash Rent Farm Lease with Craig Hill for the DeWitt <br /> County Wellfield(Farm#1 and Farm#2). <br /> April 1,2024—The City Council authorized the purchase of the Harristown Vulcan Pit. <br /> January 21, 2025 -The City Council authorized a similar Cash Rent Farm Lease with Craig Hill for the DeWitt <br /> County Wellfield(Farm#1 and Farm#2). <br /> March 17, 2025 —The City Council authorized a Cash Rent Farm Lease with Peter Pistorius for Farm#5 in <br /> Harristown <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: There are no known objections to this resolution. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: <br /> Megan Fredrickson,First Illinois Ag Group <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Matt Newell,Public Works Director,Robert Weil, Water Production Manager. Matt <br /> will be present at the Council meeting. <br />