HomeMy WebLinkAbout11. Hold discussion on request from AgLantis to renew a Ten-Year Lease for CoCo San Susatinable Farm on the Kiewit parcel Page 1 of 7
Item 11.
CENTRALSAN
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CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT
June 16, 2022
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM: DANEA GEMMELL, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION
MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: JEAN-MARC PETIT, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL
SERVICES
KENTON L. ALM, DISTRICT COUNSEL
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: HOLD DISCUSSION ON REQUEST FROMAGLANTIS TO RENEW ATEN-
YEAR LEASE FOR COCO SAN SUSTAINABLE FARM ON CENTRAL SAN'S
KIEWIT PARCEL
In late January 2022, Dr. Carolyn Phinney sent an email requesting the start of negotiations for an
extension to the AgLantis Lease Agreement (Attachment 1). She was advised that her request would be
considered after receipt of the 2021 Annual Report, which marks the performance and progress of the
CoCo San Sustainable Farm (Farm) and is required to be submitted annually by April 1 st of each
year. The Board received the AgLantis 2021 Annual Report on June 2, 2022.
By way of background, Central San approved the Lease Agreement with AgLantis for the Farm on April
17, 2014, for 14.8 acres on the western side of the Kiewit parcel with a 10-year term that expires on April
16, 2024. The lease amount is $1 per year and includes recycled water, to help support Central
San's mission to foster sustainable and renewable practices, including recycled water.
As noted in the lease, AgLantis may request up to an additional ten years upon written request of the
desire to extend the lease. "Before the Expiration Date, District or Tenant may initiate negotiations for a
new lease term for a period not to exceed an additional ten (10)years. Although neither party shall
have an obligation to extend or enter into further negotiations, should Tenant desire to negotiate a new
lease, Tenant must provide written notice to District of the desire to negotiate a new lease at least one
(1)year, and not more than two (2)years, prior to the Expiration Date."
There are several options that may be considered with respect to the lease renewal:
1. Extend for ten years on 14.8 acres with no change in terms.
2. Extend for ten years on 14.8 acres, with adjusted lease rate.
3. Extend for ten years on some lesser acreage than 14.8 acres with no change in terms.
4. Extend for five years on 14.8 acres with no change in terms.
5. Do not extend lease.
June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 706 of 771
Page 2 of 7
6. Any other options not presented herein.
Staff is requesting guidance from the Board on the next steps in order to respond to the AgLantis request.
After receiving Board input, staff will engage with Dr. Phinney and report back to the Real Estate,
Environmental and Planning Committee and then to the full Board.
Strategic Plan Tie-In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 1—Deliver high-quality customer service, Strategy 2—Maintain a positive reputation
ATTACHMENTS:
1.AgLantis Request for Lease Renewal dated January 30, 2022
2. Presentation
June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 707 of 771
Page 3 of 7
ATTACHMENT 1
Danea Gemmell
From: carolynphinney@comcast.net
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2022 9:05 AM
To: Danea Gemmell
Subject: Lease Renewal
Dear Danea,
AgLantis would like to start the process of renewing our CoCo San Sustainable Farm lease. The next
few years will be very exciting and securing a renewal is important before we move forward.
We are now working with the NRCS/USDA on a federal grant to build 5 more hoop greenhouses to
grow our most vulnerable crops in greater protection. We hope to secure this funding this spring. We
are also applying for federal funding for hedgerows and trees that will protect the farm from wind and
bring more pollinators.
The USDA is also helping us plan our irrigation system extension to be sure we have enough
pressure for the whole design.
As you know, AgraTech in Pittsburg donated a 144' X 42' hydroponic greenhouse and we have finally
received approval from Contra Costa County Public Works and CoCoCo Fire. We still need approval
from the Building Department, but we are making progress! This is a HUGE project that involves
bringing PGE to the farm and so much more. We would like to have our lease renewal in place before
we make these investments.
Finally, we are exploring replicating the farm on another sanitary/sanitation district. CoCoCo has other
districts who have expressed a desire to replicate and contribute to our goals:
Food Equity, Education, Environmental Protection and Economic Development and Job Training
(Internships for disadvantaged youth).
Please let me know what I can do to facilitate this process. We had 35 volunteers, ages 3 to 70s, at
the farm this Saturday and we are so excited about how much momentum we have created for this
farm being a wonderful community builder and for our families. Volunteers came from John Muir
Health, a local builder, local high schools, California Conservation Service, Google, a local
architecture firm, Walnut Creek Boys Team Charity, Sustainable Contra Costa and more. It's
particularly great that everyone can work outdoors, during this public health crisis. Most of our
volunteers live in the Central San service district and are receiving unique benefits from their sanitary
district.
Thank you so much for all your help over the years!
Carolyn
Carolyn Phinney, Ph.D.
President,AgLantis (501 c-3)
www.Salads4Schools.org
925-788-7374
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June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 708 of 771
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Attachment 2
COCO SAN SUSTAINABLE
FARM LEASE RENEWAL
REQUEST
JUNE 16, 2022
Danea Gemmell, PE
Planning and Development Services
Division Manager
1
SITE PLAN
CoCo San _
Sustainable Farm_.-
14.8 acres
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June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 709 of 771 1
Page 5 of 7
PURPOSE OF LEASE'
❖ Directly support the District's mission to foster sustainable and
renewable practices, including recycled water;
❖ Teach sustainable living practices, recycled water science, Delta
awareness, sustainable watershed practices, integrated pest
management, pollution prevention, soils science and other science
related to the District's educational programs;
❖ Promote District's environmental messages, including collecting and
diverting household hazardous waste for proper reuse or disposal;
❖ Showcase green technologies, including fostering green building
practices and green jobs; and
❖ Demonstrate how to reduce the carbon and environmental footprint of
food production and distribution.
1. Source:Item D of Recitals from AgLantis Lease
3
LEASE BACKGROUND
Staff discussed possibility of a farm proposal with Dr.Carolyn Phinney
on Kiewit property based on availability of recycled water
:Board agreed to pursue lease agreement with CoCo San Sustainabrm on Kiewit property
:Board approved lease with AgLantis(non-profit)for CoCo Sanstainable Farm subject to submittal and approval of Business Plan
t
ard approved CoCo San Sustainable Farm Business Plan (Leaseective date is July 3,2014) _i
-Year lease term will expire; Lease allows tenant to request new
se within two years of expiration (April 2022)
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June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 710 of 771 2
Page 6 of 7
LEASE TERMS
❖ Ten-Year lease for$1 ❖ Donation of produce to
per year and includes food bank/schools
recycled water •;• Educational component for
❖ An annual report the public focused on
submitted by April 1 st recycled water and District
of each year goals
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LEASE TERM
APRIL 17, 2014 To APRIL 16, 2024
"Before the Expiration Date, District or Tenant may initiate
negotiations for a new lease term for a period not to exceed an
additional ten (10)years. Although neither party shall have an
obligation to extend or enter into further negotiations, should Tenant
desire to negotiate a new lease, Tenant must provide written notice to
District of the desire to negotiate a new lease at least one (1)year,
and not more than two (2)years,prior to the Expiration Date."
AgLantis requested negotiation of lease renewal on January 30, 2022.
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June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 711 of 771 3
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STAFF IS REQUESTING BOARD
DIRECTION ON HOW TO PROCEED
FORWARD WITH THIS LEASE
RENEWAL REQUEST
June 16, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 712 of 771 4