Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Renewal of an Agricultural Lease Agreement with Spooner Berry Farm for Property Adjacent to Yelm Highway
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to authorize the City Manager to sign an Agricultural Lease Agreement with Spooner Berry Farm for Lease of Property Adjacent to Yelm Highway
Report
Issue:
Whether to authorize the City Manager to sign an Agricultural Lease Agreement with Spooner Berry Farm for Lease of Property Adjacent to Yelm Highway
Staff Contact:
Jonathon Turlove, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
On September 28, 2018, the City purchased an 83.01-acre property located at 3323 Yelm Highway SE for future public use as a community park. The property had been owned by James and Sandra Zahn who had leased a large portion of the property to Spooner Berry Farms for many years.
The first phase of park development will likely not happen until 2024. In the intervening years before development, the City has been leasing the portion of the property that is suitable for agriculture (approximately 42 acres) to Spooner Berry Farms. This has allowed them to continue operating their U-Pick strawberry farm and berry stand on the property during this period. The existing one-year lease expires January 31, 2021; the new lease is for a two-year term and is $13,650 per year.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
While the City does not have data, anecdotally it appears that the Spooner Berry Farms farm stand and U-Pick strawberry farm are very popular and highly valued by the community.
Options:
1. Move to authorize the City Manager to sign an Agricultural Lease Agreement with Spooner Berry Farm for Lease of Property Lying Adjacent to Yelm Highway.
2. Do not move to authorize the City Manager to sign an Agricultural Lease Agreement with Spooner Berry Farm for Lease of Property Lying Adjacent to Yelm Highway.
Financial Impact:
The lease agreement will generate $13,650 annually in revenue to the City for the next two years. In addition, if Spooner Berry Farm did not lease and manage this property during the interim years before development, Parks staff would have to mow and maintain this property at a significant cost.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement