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� . i <br /> � . Page 2 I <br /> Disadvanta� ' <br /> City may not be getting the highest possible crop income on the DeWitt property. <br /> Mr. Huisinga may not be interested in perfornung the aggressive conservation farm ' <br /> practices and demonstration programs that the City currently promotes. ' <br /> Mr. Huisinga may not have knowledge of the most current and efficient farm practices. ' <br /> Mr. Huisinga does not appear to be interested in farming the Oakley property. <br /> 2. Hire a farm management firm to oversee agricultural production for both <br /> properties. <br /> Advanta� <br /> Should provide highest possible crop income. <br /> Will perform aggressive conservation practices and demonstration programs. <br /> Should provide cunent and efficient farm practices. <br /> I� The Oakley property can be fanned. <br /> Disadvanta es <br /> � <br /> Slightly more difficult to implement. <br /> Might not have extensive background knowledge of farm and surrounding properties. <br /> 3. Not farm the properties. <br /> Advanta� <br /> Easy to administer. <br /> Frees up staff time for other activities. <br /> Disadvanta�es <br /> Does not provide crop income. <br /> Does not allow for promotion of City conservation programs. <br /> Does not provide Oakley site crop production figures which will be useful if the site is <br /> reclaimed and/or sold for agricultural production. <br /> Both sites will have to be mowed annuall . <br /> Y <br /> As Cit staff has administered the DeWitt lease and the Macon Count Soil & Water <br /> Y Y <br /> Conservation District contract, it has become apparent that agricultural production is a fairly <br /> complex and rapidly changing endeavor. Environmental, financial, and liability expertise in <br /> agribusiness is necessary to ensure that the properties are managed for the City's best interests at <br /> the lowest possible risk exposure. Taking these points into account, and by reviewing the above <br /> alternative advantages and disadvantages, the City staff recommendation is that both properties be <br /> managed by a professional farm management firm. <br /> To this end, requests for proposals were mailed to 12 firms and individuals, including Mr. <br /> Huisin a. Five ro osals were received and evaluated b Ci staff Ra uel McCain and Keith <br /> g P P Y tY , q <br /> Alexander, with Keith Harris of the Macon County Soil & Water Conservation District. Magna <br />