Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes use of the updated farm lease master template. It further authorizes the administrative approval and execution of negotiated City farmland leases by the Department or Division head of the City agency administratively assigned to each of the City properties, the DPCED Director, or their assigns. Annual rents collected from leases using land administered by the City’s Storm Water Utility shall be deposited in the Storm Water Utility Fund; rents collected for the use of the lands administered by the City’s Engineering Division, Parks Division, or the Economic Development Division shall be deposited into the General Fund. If leases are not executed with farmers for these properties, the agency administratively responsible for the property will be responsible for the maintenance costs. Additional revenues and expenditures in 2025 are expected to be minimal and will be absorbed within agency budgets. Any additional lease revenue or expenditure authority needed for property maintenance will be built into the appropriate agency's future budgets.
Title
Authorizing the use of a Farmland Lease Master Template for those City-owned lands being rented for farming, the administrative approval of City staff to negotiate lease terms, and the execution of lease documents by the City’s Director of the Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development, or assigns. (Citywide)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison (“City”) owns various properties located within the City and surrounding areas (“City Properties”) that have been historically farmed, these properties are currently being held for future uses, most often stormwater and/or park purposes; and
WHEREAS, leasing the City Properties for farming purposes, where there is interest from farmers to do so, is a use that not only generates revenue for the City but alleviates the cost and staff time that would otherwise be required by the City to maintain these Properties during the...
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