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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: February 20, 2024 <br /> CONSENT <br /> <br />AGENDA ITEM: RFP for Lease of City Owned Farm Land <br />SUBMITTED BY: Julie Johnson, City Clerk <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />When the city acquired 180 acres in 2019 from 3M, it had been farmland for many years and the city <br />continued to lease the land for farming in 2020 and 2021. When the city was soliciting proposals for <br />purchase of the land, the lease was allowed to expire and the land has not been farmed since 2021. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Should the Council issue an RFP for a one year lease of the city owned 180 acre parcel? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL: <br />Staff is aware of at least one resident that is interested in leasing the land for agricultural farming for the <br />2024 growing season and recommends that the city issue an RFP to allow other interested parties to submit <br />proposals. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />In 2020 and 2021 the land was leased by Keene Farms LLC. Rent paid in 2020 was $26,000 and went into <br />the city’s water fund to pay the taxes on the land since the land is considered an asset of the water fund. In <br />2021 only the southern portion of the parcel was leased for farming purposes at a rate of $16,000. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />If removed from the consent agenda: <br /> <br />“Motion to Approve Request for Proposals for a Farm Lease for 2024” <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT <br />• Proposed RFP