City Council Meeting Date: March 4, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Charlie Fredericks, Streets and Parks Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Accepting the Agricultural Land Lease for Fargaze Meadows Outlots C & D (Meadows Park Land).
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the agricultural land lease with Far-Gaze Farms.
Summary Report:
The City has leased the undeveloped portion of Meadows Park since 2015. The agricultural land lease on Fargaze Meadows Outlots C & D, previously approved by Council, has expired. The leased acreage is based on the amount of tillable land. The amount of tillable land is 19.2 acres. A lease rate of $255.00 per acre is the recommended rate for tillable land in this area.
The location map is included as an Exhibit in the attached agreement.
Alternative Options:
If the lease is not approved, the City will need to consider seeding this area until the park develops.
Financial Impacts:
The City pays taxes on the land that is leased. The estimated taxes due in 2025 total $3,150.00. With revenue of $4,896.00 through lease payments, the City will make $1,746.00 in 2025. This revenue will be allocated to the Park Fund.
Tentative Timelines:
The term of the agricultural land lease is January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms.