Agenda Date: 02/05/2019
Subject:
Title
An ordinance on second reading approving a two-year lease for the South Platte Water Renewal Partners (SPWRP) - Beichle Farm Property
Body
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Presented By: |
Keith Reester, Public Works Director |
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support approval of a two-year lease for the SPWRP property near Bennett, Colorado for application and farming of land owned jointly by the cities of Littleton and Englewood for management of wastewater treatment plant biosolids?
BACKGROUND:
The SPWRP facility manages five farm properties owned by the cities of Littleton and Englewood that were purchased for the beneficial application of domestic wastewater biosolids generated by the SPWRP facility. One farm property near Bennett, Colorado was leased to Clint Burnet for a five-year term in 2016. Mr. Burnet terminated his lease on the 471-acre property. SPWRP staff recommends leasing this vacant property to Mr. Kent Beichle for two years. This two-year lease term would maintain the rates and continuity of leasing cycles with the other four farm properties owned by the cities. These leases expire at the end of 2020.
The city attorneys for both cities reviewed and updated this two-year lease agreement.
Mr. Beichle, a current lessee, was granted temporary access in order to clear and prepare the property for the 2019 agricultural season. This was done as a courtesy to the farmer with the understanding that disapproval of the lease will result in his loss of time and work invested.
Leasing of the property to Mr. Beichle is in conformance with the SPWRP farm leasing policy which gives priority to current SPWRP property lessees. Mr. Beichle has been leasing other nearby farm property from SPWRP for the past several years. Leasing of the farm property is good practice as it keeps the property maintained and free of weeds and other nuisances that can cause problems for neighboring property owners. Leasing of the property also provides a revenue stream for the SPWRP.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
The city councils of the City of Littleton and the City of Englewood approved five farm property leases in July and August of 2016.
This ordinance was approved on first reading at the regular meeting of the city council on January 15, 2019.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Leasing of the dry-land farm property south of Bennett Colorado to Mr. Beichle will ensure the farm is maintained, provide the cities with $5,652 annual revenue, and will preserve consistent lease cycles for all SPWRP farm properties.
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
Approve the lease with Mr. Beichle.
Do not approve the lease allowing the 471acres to lie fallow for the next two years.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
$5,652 revenue for the SPWRP operation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends city council approve the ordinance approving a new two-year lease for the 471-acre property near Bennett, Colorado.
PRESENTATIONS:
i. Staff: Keith Reester, Public Works Director
ii. Applicant: N/A
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the ordinance approving a two-year lease for the South Platte Water Renewal Partners.